After starting the game on a 12-0 run leading to an early timeout by the Indiana Pacers, the Boston Celtics stole a Game 1 overtime victory in the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday in Boston.

In the fourth quarter, Al Horford made a 3-pointer to bring Boston within one-point with 3:02 remaining in the game with the score set at 111-110. Indiana called a timeout with 57.1 seconds remaining on the clock to challenge a play that sent Jaylen Brown to the free throw line.

After the failed challenge, Brown made both free throws, bringing the score to 115-114 with only 57.1 seconds remaining. But then Andrew Nembhard answered with a 19-foot step back over Horford, giving the Pacers a three-point lead with 46.1 seconds on the clock.

The Celtics take a timeout and come back to a missed layup from Derrick White and then a missed put-back from Jayson Tatum who had a great look from 15-feet from the basket. Tatum had to intentionally foul to stop the clock with 10 seconds left.

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The Pacers turn the ball over, giving the Celtics a chance to inbound from the half court with 8.1 seconds remaining. Holiday inbounds from underneath the basket to Brown along the left corner with Pascal Siakam all over him, but it didn’t matter as Brown made the 23-foot shot from behind the arc, tying the game at 117.

Now we go into overtime.

It was Brown who got the Celtics into overtime but it was Tatum who pushed them through it, scoring 10-points and made a 3-pointer to finish the game 2-of-8 from downtown.

The presence of Holiday on the defensive end was the difference maker. He hovered Tyrese Haliburton and didn’t allow him to get by at the half court, which resulted in Haliburton stepping out of bounds and turning the ball over with 1:02 left on the clock.

Jrue Holiday, very good defender. pic.twitter.com/NUWJPHxan5

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) May 22, 2024

This was a game that Boston could’ve easily lost after getting off to an easy start. They need to protect the paint and midrange area, as the Pacers shot 66.1% on 2-pointers at the end of regulation and 62.5% to end the game.

Game 2 is Thursday night in Boston.

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Photo Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE via Getty Images